South Morocco Discovery

11 days
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Small Group Tour
Venture into the best of south Morocco on this 11-day adventure, where you’ll get to stay in a family gite in the Atlas Mountains, camp under the stars in the deep Sahara and experience a traditional riad in Essaouira. Visit the grand Ait Benhaddou kasbah, go on a camel safari at sunset in the desert, hike in the oasis of the palm groves and feast on tagine, ...
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$1,418
From$1,050
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Take a guided hike through the High Atlas Mountains and spend a night with an Amazigh family’s gite.
    • Travel in a camel convoy and a 4WD to Erg Chigaga in the deep Sahara – the most majestic place to watch the sunset – and spend a night in an Amazigh camp under the North African stars, away from any sound or light pollution.
    • Veer off the beaten track to Tata and Tafraoute, deep in the Anti Atlas Mountain Range. Check out giant blue rocks, visit the traditional granary, meet the women at a local women’s coop producing Argan oil and duck in and out of souqs.
    • Recharge with two days in seaside Essaouira where Jimi Hendrix spent time in the 60s, and explore the whitewashed houses, lively port and tiny, picturesque alleyways.
    • Explore Ait Benhaddou – a UNESCO World Heritage site with a grand history and a long list of film and TV credits, on a walking tour with a local guide who knows all the local insights.

What's this trip about?

    Venture into the best of south Morocco on this 11-day adventure, where you’ll get to stay in a family gite in the Atlas Mountains, camp under the stars in the deep Sahara and experience a traditional riad in Essaouira. Visit the grand Ait Benhaddou kasbah, go on a camel safari at sunset in the desert, hike in the oasis of the palm groves and feast on tagine, couscous and fragrant Moroccan tea. This is the perfect trip to get off the beaten track and discover the charm of southern Morocco.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityMarrakech
End CityMarrakech

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • High Adventure
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

Attractions

  • Ait Benhaddou
  • Atlas Mountains
  • Essaouira
  • Marrakech
  • Medina
  • Sahara Desert

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • Aroumd - High Atlas Mountains guided hike
    • Ait Benhaddou - Leader-led ksar walk
    • Tamegroute - Ancient Library
    • Tamegroute - Underground kasbah guided tour
    • Sahara Desert - Sunset Camel Ride
    • Tata - Leader-led orientation walk
    • Tissint – Waterfall of Attiq
    • Tleta Tagmoute – Amazigh village and collective granary visit
    • Tafraoute – village walk and souk visit
    • Tafraoute - Pierres Bleues Boulders (Painted Rocks)
    • Tafraoute - Ameln Valley hike with tea and picnic
    • Taghazoute – Argan oil women's co-op visit
    • Essaouira - Guided walking tour
    • Essaouira – Local fisherman visit

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Marrakech

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Marrakech in Morocco. This vibrant city has many things to see, do, taste, smell and enjoy. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. After, you may want to head to the bustling public square of Djemaa el-Fna. This is the...

Day 2 Aroumd

This morning, take a short drive into the High Atlas Mountains to the village of Imlil. When you arrive, store your main luggage and load your overnight bags onto pack mules. Make the 1-hour trek to the peaceful village of Aroumd. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the remot...

Day 3 Ait Benhaddou

This morning, journey along mountain roads and over Morocco's highest pass, Tizi n'Tichka (2260 m above sea level), to Ait Benhaddou on the edges of the Sahara. Perched on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century, Ait Benhaddou is one of Morocco's most ic...

Day 4 Sahara Desert

Today, you’ll have a full day of driving as you journey south towards the Sahara Desert. After breakfast, drive through the Draa Valley to Zagora, where you’ll see the original route of the caravans. Then, travel along the rugged and desolate Jbel Tadrart ranges throu...

Day 5 Tissint/Tata

If you’re an early bird, you might want to head to the nearest dune this morning and watch the sunrise – this spectacle in the Sahara Desert is well worth the alarm! After breakfast, you’ll hop back into the 4WDs and drive out of the desert, switching to your private ...

Day 6 Tleta Tagmoute/Tafraoute

This morning, drive to Tleta Tagmoute – a small village where you’ll get to see the oasis granaries, date palm plantations and fruit trees. The lifestyle and irrigation system here is quite unique to the region and you’ll get a deeper understanding of what life was li...

Day 7 Tafraoute

Go for a hike in the Ameln Valley this morning, passing through small Amazigh villages where you’ll stop to try the local Amlou (almond, Argan and honey spread) with tea. The hike will take you through palm trees, almond trees and fields of alfalfa crops used by local...

Day 8 Essaouira

Today will be a bit of a long travel day as you head towards the Atlantic. Passing desert scenery, your route is actually a reserve for the Indigenous argan trees. You’ll stop at a local woman’s cooperative along the way, which specialises in Argan oil production. Thi...

Day 9 Essaouira

Today after breakfast, join a local guide for a walking tour through the old medina, Jewish mellah, port and skala (sea wall). Essaouira is one of the oldest port cities in the country, and fishing here is still quite traditional. You’ll have the chance to meet one of...

Day 10 Marrakech

Enjoy a free morning in Essaouira, then catch a bus back to Marrakech in the afternoon. Enjoy free time when you arrive, to explore or partake in optional activities. Walk around the famed Djemaa el-Fna – from fire dancers to performers and street food carts, this is ...

Day 11 Marrakech

Your adventure ends after breakfast. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Marrakech (subject to availability). Just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,050
Price per day$95
Last Updated: 6/4/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
23 Dec 2024
01 Jan 2025
$1,135
26 Dec 2024
04 Jan 2025
$1,050
28 Dec 2024
06 Jan 2025
$1,100
31 Dec 2024
09 Jan 2025
$1,095
02 Jan 2025
12 Jan 2025
$1,240
04 Jan 2025
14 Jan 2025
$1,054
16 Jan 2025
26 Jan 2025
$1,076
30 Jan 2025
09 Feb 2025
$1,195
08 Feb 2025
18 Feb 2025
$1,280
15 Feb 2025
25 Feb 2025
$1,235

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
Excellent
3,438
Great
672
Average
150
Disappointing
84
Terrible
227
G

Grace A.

Feb 2016

Written on

Intrepid South Morocco Discovery

Our trip to Morocco was a trip of a lifetime. I am so proud to be able to say that I camped in the Sahara Desert under the most brilliant cluster of stars during a c...

J

Jennifer

Sep 2015

Written on

The trip was extremely interesting,well researched, very

The trip was extremely interesting,well researched, very well organized and gave us a wonderful overview of many places. The quality of the leaders was exceptional ...

E

Eleanor

Sep 2015

Written on

We have travelled with Intrepid previously and

We have travelled with Intrepid previously and like the authentic e...

A

Amy

Sep 2015

Written on

The trip was well organized with excellent

The trip was well organized with excellent activities but primarily because the guide made us feel welcome, worked hard to shelter us from the hassles of travel, and...

E

Emily

Sep 2015

Written on

Very organized

Very organized

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Terrific organisation, unforgettable experiences.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Camp site (1 night),Gite (1 night),Hotel (6 nights),Riad (2 nights)

Transportation & Flights

4x4,Private vehicle,Public bus,Taxi,

Transportation & flights

4x4,Private vehicle,Public bus,Taxi
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Hotel Le Caspien
  • 12 Rue Loubnane
  • Gueliz
  • Marrakech
  • 40000
  • MOROCCO
  • Phone: +212 524422282

Alternate Finish point

  • For trips departing on the following dates, use this finish point.
  • 02 Jan 2025 (XMSF250102), 16 Jan 2025 (XMSF250116), 30 Jan 2025 (XMSF250130), 08 Feb 2025 (XMSF250208), 15 Feb 2025 (XMSF250215), 20 Feb 2025 (XMSF250220), 22 Feb 2025 (XMSF250222), 25 Feb 2025 (XMSF250225), 08 Mar 2025 (XMSF250308), 22 Mar 2025 (XMSF250322), 08 Apr 2025 (XMSF250408), 22 Apr 2025 (XMSF250422), 24 Apr 2025 (XMSF250424), 29 Apr 2025 (XMSF250429), 01 May 2025 (XMSF250501), 06 May 2025 (XMSF250506), 08 May 2025 (XMSF250508), 13 May 2025 (XMSF250513), 20 May 2025 (XMSF250520), 22 May 2025 (XMSF250522), 25 May 2025 (XMSF250525), 27 May 2025 (XMSF250527), 29 May 2025 (XMSF250529), 10 Jun 2025 (XMSF250610), 17 Jun 2025 (XMSF250617), 19 Jun 2025 (XMSF250619), 24 Jun 2025 (XMSF250624), 26 Jun 2025 (XMSF250626), 29 Jun 2025 (XMSF250629), 05 Jul 2025 (XMSF250705), 08 Jul 2025 (XMSF250708), 12 Jul 2025 (XMSF250712), 15 Jul 2025 (XMSF250715), 26 Jul 2025 (XMSF250726), 02 Aug 2025 (XMSF250802), 05 Aug 2025 (XMSF250805), 12 Aug 2025 (XMSF250812), 16 Aug 2025 (XMSF250816), 21 Aug 2025 (XMSF250821), 26 Aug 2025 (XMSF250826), 28 Aug 2025 (XMSF250828), 09 Sep 2025 (XMSF250909), 16 Sep 2025 (XMSF250916), 24 Sep 2025 (XMSF250924), 08 Oct 2025 (XMSF251008), 30 Oct 2025 (XMSF251030), 13 Nov 2025 (XMSF251113), 04 Dec 2025 (XMSF251204), 27 Dec 2025 (XMSF251227)
  • Moroccan House Hotel Marrakech
  • 3 Rue Loubnane, Gueliz
  • Marrakech
  • 40000
  • MOROCCO
  • Phone: +212 524420305
Trip ID
intrepid-XMSF

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